Fabulous Fabric Flower Tutorials: 7 Ways to Make Fabric Flowers Copyright 2013 by Prime Publishing LLC All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Trademarks are property of their respective holders. When used, trademarks are for the benefit of the trademark owner only. Published by Prime Publishing LLC, 3400 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062 – www.primecp.com
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
Letter from the Editors
Hi Sewists, For those of you who love the look of flowers but hate when they wilt, we’ve put together this gorgeous roundup of fabric flower tutorials. Even if you’re lucky enough not to have allergies, flowers don’t stay around all year depending on where home is. Learn how to make fabric flowers and plant them on your clothes, totes, or in your home décor. Anything that needs some extra bloom will benefit from these fabric flower tutorials. Each of the tutorials in this eBook is made up of clear instructions and stunning photographs that will walk you through the steps to making an exquisite fabric flower. Transform otherwise drab fabric into a floral design that you’ll absolutely adore. Using your wily sewing skills and creativity, you can beat Father Winter and keep those beautiful blossoms around all year long. Happy Sewing!
You can find additional fabric flower ideas and more at www.AllFreeSewing.com.
Our eBooks, like all our sewing projects, are absolutely FREE to members of our sewing community. Please feel free to share with family and friends and ask them to sign up at our website for our free e-mail newsletter.
Happy Sewing,
The Editors of AllFreeSewing www.AllFreeSewing.com
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
Designer Inspired Sewing: 9 Beautiful Designer Knock Off Patterns Denim Flower Corsage ................................... 5
Rose Pillow................................................... 17
Fabric Flower Tutorial .................................... 8
Obi Belt Tutorial ........................................... 20
Fabulous Flower Ruffled Hair Pin ................. 12
How to Make a Gathered Fabric Flower...... 25
Red Poppies Flower Tutorial and Napkins ... 15
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers Directions:
Denim Flower Corsage By: Sachiko from Tea Rose Home
1. Cut 5 squares. 2- 3 1/2", 1- 3", 1- 2 3/4", 1- 2 1/2".
To create a fabric flower corsage that is unlike any other you’ve seen, follow these instructions. You'll love finding different ways to use this hand-sewn denim flower. Apply this pretty blossom to a blouse, a tote, or even your home décor. Best of all, you don’t need to buy fresh fabric to create this corsage; upcycle old jeans instead!
2. Cut out flower shapes. It is easier to cut by using the corners as a guide.
Materials:
Old Pair of Jeans Scissors Sewing Machine 1 Large Bead 7-8 Pearl Beads Pin Felt
Remember, it doesn't need to be perfect! That give the corsage character.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers 3. Sew along the edges of the flowers to prevent fraying (It will fray a little, but not as much, it also gives body to each of the petals).
6. Sew the pin to a 1 1/2" felt circle. Using the slip stitch, sew that onto the back of the flower.
4. Stack them together, large flower to small. Make sure that petals don't overlap each other from the top layer down to the bottom layer.
5. Sew a large bead in the middle, then, sew 7-8 pearls around it. Sew at least a couple times for each bead to make sure they are secure. Darker color beads won't stand out too much.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers 7. If you don't want your flower flat, squeeze it to make the shape; it's entirely up to you.
8. Enjoy your final product by applying it to either a blouse, sweater, tote, or anything that could use a flower!
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
Fabric Flower Tutorial
Directions:
By: Staci from Crafty Staci
1. These instructions make three types of flowers. For this first version, you’ll need that 2” square of additional fabric.
Use this Fabric Flower Tutorial to create lovely Daffodils that will brighten up your living space. Learn how to make fabric flowers with this stepby-step project. By the end of the project, you’ll have the option of hanging these blossoms up with ribbon or propping them up with faux stems. You'll love the results that these fabric flower instructions yield.
2. Fold a square in half with wrong sides together. The fold is at the top.
3. Fold one upper corner down to the center bottom.
Materials:
Five 4” squares of Fabric Additional 2" of Fabric for the first flower One 1 1/2 x 20” strip of fabric One small circle of felt, about 1” across Hot Glue Gun Needle and Thread Wood Skewer & Floral Tape OR Ribbon
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers 4. Fold the other upper corner down to the center to create a triangle.
5. Pin in place. Repeat with the other four squares. Fold the long strip in half and lay on top of the triangle with the raw edges together. With knotted thread and needle, start on one end and take long stitches near the edge through all layers.
7. If the strip is longer than your triangles, cut off the excess. Gather tightly. Stitch ends together and knot thread.
8. Holding the petals, pull up on the gathered strip in the center so it stands up from the flower.
9. Turn the flower over and glue a felt circle on the bottom with hot glue. 6. Add the next triangle and continue stitching, repeating until all triangles are attached to the strip.
10. Stitch large stitches around the 2� square. Gather and knot. Glue into center of flower with the gathered side down.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
11. For the second version, you’ll need the same cuts of fabric, excluding the 2” square. Prepare the triangles the same way, but instead of sewing the triangles and strip together, just sew the triangles together by themselves. Stitch a long running stitch near the raw edge of the folded strip. Gather.
14. For the last flower, prepare the flower the same way as the second one above, including gluing the felt circle to the back. For the center, cut the strip down to 12”. Stitch the ends with right sides together.
15. Fold in half with wrong sides together and stitch near edge. 12. Stitch the ends together. Stitch through some of the folds on the outside to keep them standing upright.
16. Pull the thread to gather. Knot thread.
13. Prepare flower with the felt circle on the back, then sew or stitch the center to the flower.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
17. Glue into the center of the flower.
18. If you'd like to hang these, glue a ribbon loop to the back of the flowers. If you'd like to put them in a vase, cover your wood skewer with floral tape and glue it to the back of the flowers.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
Fabulous Flower Ruffled Hair Pin By: Devona from Clever Nesting
Learn how to sew a fabric flower with this Fabulous Flower Ruffled Hair Pin tutorial. This is a project that you'll love to try. Not only do you learn how to make a fabric flower, but you also gain a charming hair piece to crown your head with. This is a great project for novice and veteran seamstresses, because the reward is so cute and wearable. Make this for yourself, or as a DIY gift. Chances are you won't want to give it away though.
Directions: 1. Start by threading your needle and knotting the end of the thread. Sew a running, or gathering stitch along the length of one side of the fabric strip. The stitches should be around 1/8″ to 1/4″ in length to get a good even gather. If your fabric doesn't have a serged edge and you don’t have a serger you can use ribbon, or you can double over the fabric and have the folded edge be the outside of the flower. You can also experiment with using a printed selvage for the flower, which would create a really unique look!
Materials:
Strip from Men's Dress Shirt - 15" Long Sturdy Thread Long Needle 1" Square Piece of Felt Bobby Pin Fabric Adhesive or Hot Glue Scissors
2. Pull the thread so that the fabric gathers up, accordion fashion. Don’t let the fabric get all twisted up, or you will end up with more of a fabric knot than a flower. Don’t cut your thread. You can adjust the tightness of your accordion if you keep the thread on, and you will be using the needle to secure the flower in its shape later.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
3. Take the end of your fabric strip, this will be on the bottom of your flower. Now wrap the rest of the accordion of fabric around this end, so that it fans out in a circle, and the other end also ends up on the bottom. Really you can twist it into a circle however, but if you are careful to keep both ends in the back, your flower front will be a lot more attractive.
5. If you want to add a button or other embellishment, now is a good time. Otherwise, finish with your thread in back and tie off. Now grab your bobby pin and the piece of felt. Stick the felt inside the bobby pin.
4. Now take your needle, which will be in the back if you’ve done it right, and stitch through all the flower layers to the front. Return the needle to the back keeping the stitch very small on the front. Go around and around making sure that the layers of the flower are nice and secure and won’t unravel. Keep the stitches in the front super tiny, don’t worry so much about the stitches in back, they will be covered up soon.
6. Apply a generous, not globby, amount of fabric glue or hot glue to the back of the felt piece while it is attached to the bobby pin. Make sure that you get some glue on the metal, and that you are applying it to the flat side of the bobby pin. Glue it down to the back of the flower with the bobby pin’s bumpy side up.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
7. Let the glue dry all the way, otherwise it could glue to your hair! Enjoy!
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
Red Poppies Flower Tutorial and Napkins By: Q from JAQS Studio This gorgeous Red Poppies Flower Tutorial and Napkins is the perfect tutorial for summer dinner parties. These handmade fabric flowers and DIY fabric napkins make excellent features for any summer festivities. Take a peek at how to make a fabric flower that will adorn your tablescape as gracefully as any blossom in a garden.
1. Prep the poppy stem: Wrap each stick with one of the green fabrics - leave about 1/2" exposed where the flower would be attached later on.
2. To make the poppy center, place one of the black fabric scraps on a flat surface and place some stuffing in the middle (you can use some cut up fabric scraps).
Materials:
6 Strips of red fabric cut 4.5" x 14" 6 Black fabrics scraps (~4" x 4" each) 6 Black fabric strips (1/3" x 6") 6 Strips of green fabric cut 1.5" x 14" 6 Bamboo sticks/skewers about 6" each Hot Glue Gun Scissor
3. Scrunch up the fabric around the stuffing to make a ball and tie the 'ball' with a strip of the black fabric. Cut off the excess fabric.
4. Attach the poppy center to the exposed end of the poppy stem with some hot glue.
Directions:
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
5. Prep the poppy petals. Cut wavy lines on one of the long sides of each of the red fabric strips. The cutting doesn't have to be precise to give it a more unique look for each poppy.
6. Attach the poppy petal to the stem.
end of the fabric strip - pinch and hot glue (if needed) against the poppy stem. Continue this until the whole red fabric strip is against the step. Make sure that the exposed stem area is completely covered by the poppy petal and the petal goes all around the stem. Use a little bit of hot glue to blue the start of the petal to the end so it forms a neatly enclosed poppy.
8. And voila! A beautiful poppy. Make a few or make a bunch. These are great alone or to use for decor.
7. Start with one of the red fabric strip. Hot glue a corner against the exposed poppy pen. Make sure that the wavy end is facing upwards.
8. Hot glue a small line against the long uncut
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
Rose Pillow Directions: By: Terra from Mama Says Sew Add elegance to your home decor with this lovely Rose Pillow. Fleece rosettes adorn this DIY pillow making it comfortable and stylish. You'll get the Pottery Barn look for a fraction of the price!
1. Cut out your fleece (or whatever you're using) to the size you want.
2. Then cut out lots and lots of circles. These are about six inches across.
3. Cut the circles in a spiral pattern, just like those rolled paper flowers that are all over. Materials:
About 1 Yard of Fleece Needle and Thread Sewing Machine if available Hot Glue Gun Stuffing
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers 4. Then cut notches along the outside edge to form petals. Vary the size as you go.
5. Start rolling up from the outside, making sure the petal side is facing up.
6. Finished flowers will look something like this:
7. You can either stitch the flowers or hot glue them. If you stitch, make sure you get all the layers so that the flowers don't start to unravel.
8. Add the flowers to one layer of the pillowcase, leaving a section along the edges for a seam allowance.
9. Once you have all the flowers sewn or glued on, it should look something like this:
10. Lay the other half of the pillowcase right side down on top of the flowers.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
11. Stitch around the edges, making sure you don't get any petals stuck in the seam. Leave an opening to turn the pillowcase right side out.
12. Turn it right side out.
13. Then just stuff it and close the rest of the seam. Now it's ready for display.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
Obi Belt Tutorial By: Tamara from Etcetorize This Obi Belt Tutorial is the perfect addition to your skirt or dress. Use the obi belt pattern to make your own stylish accessory that will take your look to the next level. You can even create a flower embellishment for an added touch. Directions: 1. First make a quick pattern, because once you make one of these, you know you'll want to make more. This tutorial uses tissue paper but you can easily tape some regular old office printer paper together and it'll work just fine.
Materials:
Paper or Tissue Paper (anything to make a quick pattern) Pencil Scissors Fabric (for the belt, this tutorial uses 13" X 4 1/4" X for a small size; add another inch or two for medium or larger) Fabric for flower (size depends on how big you want your flower) Pins 2 pieces of Ribbon (enough to wrap around your waist one and a half times) Sewing Machine Needle & Thread Candle & Match
2. Draw a rectangle on your paper. This tutorial uses a smaller size and therefore measures 13" (33cm) X 4 1/4"(11cm). Add another inch or two for medium or larger.
3. Now extend your rectangle another 6" (15cm) on each side but just draw a dotted line. Find the centre of the side and draw a line that is 5.8" long (1.5cm). Now connect each side of that small line to the corners of the original rectangle.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
5. To make the belt, fold your fabric with the wrong sides together. Lay your belt pattern on top, pin, and cut.
4. You can either do step 2 again on the other side, or you can just fold the original rectangle in half and trace the end piece. Once that's done, just cut your pattern out.
6. Cut two pieces of ribbon that will go around your waist one and half times. Lay one piece of ribbon flush with one end of your belt body and sew across with a 5/8" seam allowance. This tutorial uses 1" wide ribbon only because that was all that was available. However, something narrower works better, or you can gather the end so that it matches the width of the end of your belt (Make sure you have right sides together and the length of the ribbon is towards the centre of your belt). Do the same on the other end.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
7. Fold your ribbon pieces towards the inside and secure with a pin just so that you won't catch it in your seams when you sew the belt together.
8. Place the other belt body, right sides facing, on top and pin. You will now sew the sides, leaving a small opening for turning, with a 3/8" seam allowance. This tutorial uses taffeta fabric that is reddish on one side and black on the other. For added flexibility one side of the belt red and the other black to make it reversible. If you're new to sewing, just keep things simple and put right sides together.
9. Turn it right side out, press, and hand stitch the opening closed.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
10. To add the flower, draw a flower template on a piece of paper.
12. Singe all of the edges with a candle flame. This works best with man-made fibres. You don't even have to touch the flame, just get close enough so that the fabric starts to melt and curl a bit. Keep a close eye on it as you're going, and blow it out quickly. Be careful; the edges will be hot for about a minute or so.
11. Place on fabric, pin, and cut. Don't worry about being perfect here. In fact the messier the better. Cut out 3-4 pieces for each flower you plan to create.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
And you’re done! 13. Hand stitch long gathering stitches in a circle in the centre of one of your flowers. Gather, secure, and repeat the process with another flower on top without cutting your thread. Do this with 3-4 flowers pieces. This won't be visible so, again, don't worry too much about it being pretty. Gather some more from the back if you want a fuller flower and secure with hand stitching.
14. Hand stitch a stick pin closure onto the back of your flowers if you want the option of removing them from your belt. If this isn't a concern you can just hand stitch your flowers right onto your obi belt.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
How to Make a Gathered Fabric Flower
degree diagonal line, and make the first cut.
By: Deanna McCool from Birdsong Bows It's easier than ever to make your own fabric flowers with this tutorial. You can easily learn How to Make a Gathered Fabric Flower. Make fabric perennials for your hair, your clothes, or just to have around the house! This is great for those who have flower allergies or want to keep the essence of spring all year long.
Materials:
1 fat quarter of fabric Basic sewing supplies (needle, thread, scissors, iron/ironing board) Rotary cutter, mat with markings, and acrylic ruler (not completely necessary, but very, very helpful) Hot glue gun and glue Fancy button Barrette or pinch clip (or pinback, if preferred, to add to a purse, coat or shirt)
2. Move over 2 inches, and cut your first strip. Cut another 2-inch strip, also on the bias. When you add your strips together, they should measure about 36 inches, but this is approximate - if you've got a lot less than 36 inches, cut a third strip. If you've got more, don't worry about it.
Directions: 1. First, press your fabric. Then lay it on your cutting mat with the edges squarely against the guide marks. Position your ruler along the 45-
3. Place your fabric strips together with the ends nestled as shown below, with 1/4" overhanging on EACH side. If you have a right
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers and a wrong side, be sure to place your fabric right sides together. Pin.
4. Take this to your machine, and sew 1/4" from the edge. If you don't have a machine, be sure to stitch by hand with very small stitches!
5. Press your strip with the seams going to one side. You can press the seams open if you wish, but if you have quilting experience you may wish to press to one side.
that you have a smooth, clean strip (below).
7. Trim your ends into gentle curves. You can see it below with the fabric layered on top of itself; note how both ends are curved (sort of like a really long, skinny boat).
8. Using your needle and thread, make long running stitches about 1/4" in from the edge, starting at the curve (below), and stitching all the way to the other end of the strip. Finish after you've gone up the second curve. Do not stitch along the other long side (the second photo is showing the stitching and is "flipped over" from the picture above; you will not stitch along both sides).
6. Once you've pressed your seam, cut off the little triangle that sticks out on the one side, so
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
10. Cut a 3 1/2" inch square out of matching fabric. Find the center by folding it along both diagonals, and then unfolding it.
9. Pull your thread gently to gather your fabric strip. You don't need to gather it overly tight, but tight enough to create some flattering "ruffles." It will start to wind in on itself as you pull (second photo, below).
11. Thread your needle, and stitch the gathered fabric strip onto the square. Position it over the middle point. Wind the strip into a corkscrew as you move inward, stitching as you go along.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers 14. You can add a piece of felt to the back for more stability and then hot-glue the barrette to the back.
12. Trim the square away, leaving a smaller circle (below).
13. Sew and hot-glue a button onto the front.
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7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
A special thanks to our contributors: Sachiko from Tea Rose Home Staci from Crafty Staci Devona from Clever Nesting Q from JAQS Studio Terra from Mama Says Sew Tamara from Etcetorize Deanna McCool from Birdsong Bows
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